Learning objectives:

The student will compare and contrast various forms of government.

The student will explain the structures of the national governments of Southwest Asia (Middle
East).
The student will analyze different economic systems.
The student will describe factors that influence economic growth and examine their presence or
absence in Israel, Saudi Arabia, and Iran.

Choices:

Role Audience Format Topic

Middle East Other Middle East Social Media: Arab Spring

Citizen Citizens Twitter
Facebook

Zionist Anti-Zionists Pro-Israel Posters State of Israel

U.S. President Iraq President Telegraph Rebuilding Iraq

Ayatollah Khomeini Iranian Citizens Speech Iranian Revolution

International CEO Stock Holders Annual shareholder Petroleum Industry in

report Persian Gulf

Reporter Other Nationalists Political cartoon Israel vs. Palestine

Creation of a
Kurdish State
Syrian Civil War

Activists Saudi Royal Family Protest poster or Womens Rights

speech Saudi Arabia

David Ben-Gurion self Journal Being 1st Prime

Minister of Israel

King Ibn Saud Self Journal Creating Kingdom

of Saudi Arabia

Kurdish Leader Kurdish People Political speech Independent

Kurdish State

Shite living in Iraq Cousin who lives in Letter Sunni vs Shia ethno-
 Iran religious conflict

Game Developer Classmates Game Developer: Syrian Civil War

Jeopardy
Kahoot
Board Game

Reporter U.S. citizen News article Persian Gulf War

Journalist World audience Multimedia Terrorism

presentation

Instructions:

Rules for picking partner:

The requirements for choosing a partner are: (1) they cannot be your best friend; (2)
they cannot have similar results from the personality or multiple intelligence tests; (3)
and you cannot have the same general strengths and weaknesses. You must both bring
something different to the project.

RAFT 1 Arab Spring

You are a citizen of a Middle Eastern country. Make a Mock social media page for a citizen of
this country. This social media page should have the following:
1. a post explaining what is the conflict in the country
2. a post saying how you think the conflict should be resolved
3. A picture of the conflict (must be school appropriate).
4. A response to a post from someone with the opposite opinion as your own
For this RAFT, you will need:
Poster or
https://www.classtools.net/FB/home-page

RAFT 2 Creation of the State of Israel

You are a Zionist responsible for making a pro-Israel poster to encourage anti-israelis to accept
the creation of the State of Israel. FIRST, you must find out about Zionism and write a paragraph
explaining what its major ideas and goals are.
1. AT LEAST 6 illustrations (pictures)
2. 3-4 sentence caption explaining EACH illustration
For this RAFT, you will need: A piece of poster paper for your poster

RAFT 3 Rebuilding Iraq

You are a general in Operation Iraqi Freedom creating a TOP SECRET TELEGRAPH CODE for
George W. Bush or Barack Obama (the war lasted for two presidents) about how the United
States will help rebuild Iraq.
First, you must write a paragraph telling about the general you chose from the Iraq War and the
president you chose: Who are they? What was their relationship like? Why did they want to
rebuild Iraq? This paragraph should also include a description of a TELEGRAPH CODE: What
is it used for? How is one made?
Finally, your TOP SECRET TELEGRAPH CODE should explain how the United States is going
to help rebuild Iraq. This TELEGRAPH CODE should be very specific, and at least three
paragraphs long before it is changed into a code.
For this RAFT, you will need: Lined paper or computer to write/type paper

RAFT 4 Iranian Revolution

You are Ayatollah Khomeini preparing a speech for the Iranian People. You are planning the
Iranian Revolution and want your people to know how great it is before it starts to take effect.
Your speech/presentation needs to include:
1. A poster / prezi detailing the main points of your speech (this should match up with your
speech)
2. A five paragraph speech explaining the vision of your country.
3. Two Additional sources you have found that helped you write your speech
For this RAFT, you will need: A poster board OR an account (free) from prezi.com

RAFT 5 Petroleum Industry in Persian Gulf

You are an International CEO creating a presentation for your stock holders.
You must:
1. Choose 3 countries to highlight. They all must be a good examples of participating in the
world oil market.
2. Create a list of major petroleum based products they export.
3. Write a paragraph about each product they export, explaining details of the product and how
your presentation is related to that topic.
4. Any changes you suggest for the future of the petroleum industry in the Middle East. Be sure
to include the role of OPEC
YOU MUST FIND YOUR OWN RESOURCES FOR THIS RAFT!
For this RAFT, you will need: Paper to draw your cartoons and lined paper or computer to write
paragraphs
RAFT 6 Conflicts over Nationalism

You are an Middle Eastern Newspaper Cartoonist creating POLITICAL CARTOONS for the
people of the world. A political cartoon is one that mocks or makes fun of a plan or event. You
must:
1. Choose one of the following: Israel vs. Palestine, Syrian Civil War, or the Creation of the
Kurdish State.
2. Create 2 POLITICAL CARTOONS for each.
3. Write a paragraph about each one, explaining details of the topic and how your cartoon is
related to that topic.
YOU MUST FIND YOUR OWN RESOURCES FOR THIS RAFT!
For this RAFT, you will need: Paper to draw your cartoons and lined paper or computer to write
paragraphs

RAFT 7 Importance of Democracy in Saudi Arabia

You are a student activist creating a poster to present to the public about the importance of
democracy and womens rights and why the Saudi Royal Family should consider changing. Your
presentation must include:
1. A poster / prezi detailing the main points of your speech (this should match up with your
speech)
2. A five paragraph speech explaining the benefits of switching to a democracy that value
Women's Rights
3. Thoughts about the laws regarding women in that country.
4. Two Additional sources you have found that helped you write your speech
For this RAFT, you will need: A poster board OR an account (free) from prezi.com

RAFT 8 First Prime minister of Israel

You are David Ben-Gurion, the first prime minister of Israel. You are preparing your thoughts
on how the country is going in its earliest years. You are documenting the ups and downs as
leader of your country.
Your Journal must include:
1. An entry detailing the main highlights of your administration (this should match up with
history)
2. An entry explaining the main lows of your administration.
3. An entry explaining resolutions to conflicts you were presented with..
4. Two Additional sources you have found that helped you write your speech
For this RAFT, you will need: A poster board OR an account (free) from prezi.com
RAFT 9 Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
You are King Ibn Saud, the first King of Saudi Arabia. You are preparing your thoughts on how
the country is going in its earliest years. You are documenting the ups and downs as leader of
your country.
Your Journal must include:
1. An entry detailing the main highlights of your administration (this should match up with
history)
2. An entry explaining the main lows of your administration.
3. An entry explaining resolutions to conflicts you were presented with..
4. Two Additional sources you have found that helped you write your speech
For this RAFT, you will need: A poster board OR an account (free) from prezi.com

RAFT 10 Independent Kurdish State

You are a Kurdish Leader preparing a speech for the Kurdish people encouraging them to
become a part of the movement towards an independent state. You want them to know how
they can lead to themselves to independence! Your presentation must include:
1. A poster/ prezi detailing the main points of your speech (this should match up with your
speech)
2. A five paragraph speech telling about how to be a part of it
3. Examples of the plan: Revolution? Or Non-violent protest?
4. Why independence is so important to the Kurdish people
5. Two Additional sources you have found that helped you write your speech
For this RAFT, you will need: A poster board OR an account (free) from prezi.com

RAFT 10 Sunni vs Shia Ethno-religious Conflict

You are an Iraqi citizen writing a letter to your cousin who lives in Iran. In your letter, you are
trying to explain to your cousin the reasons you would like to move to out of the Middle East.
Your project should include:
1. A five paragraph letter discussing:
Causes of the Conflict
Conditions in your country
Why you want to migrate to another country
2. Your letter should address real concerns that someone living in Middle East might be having
3. Two Additional sources you have found that helped you write your letter
For this RAFT, you will need: Lined paper or computer to write/type paper
 RAFT 11 Game Developer
You are a game developer that is interested in making history more exciting to learn. The topic
you chose was the Syrian Civil War.
1. Create a Jeopardy Game, Kahoot, or Board Game that teaches the keys concepts to the Syrian
Civil War
For this RAFT, you will need: Lined paper, Poster, or computer to write/type questions for the
game.

RAFT 12 Persian Gulf War

You are a reporter who is experiencing the Persian Gulf War. While there, you need to create a
news article for a U.S. Citizen to read. Your article should include:
1. A five paragraph description of what took place during the war
2. Use of your 5 senses to share your experience in the Persian Gulf War.
3. Pictures that were taken while you were there (must be school appropriate).
For this RAFT, you will need: Lined paper or computer to write/type paper

RAFT 13 Terrorism
You are a television journalist who is hosting a show about terrorism in the world. For the Show,
you need to create a presentation for a U.S. audience to understand. Your presentation should
include:
1. A five paragraph essay explaining description of what contributes to terrorism
2. Use of your 5 senses to share your understanding of Terrorism in the world.
3. Pictures that were taken of events (must be school appropriate).
4. Historical background for causes of terrorism
For this RAFT, you will need: Lined paper or computer to write/type paper

Resource List:

Arab Spring

Arab Spring

Arab Spring

Creation of Israel

Creation of Israel

Zionism
Zionism

Iraq War

Iraq War

Iranian Revolution

Petroleum Industry in Persian Gulf

Petroleum Industry in Persian Gulf

Israel vs. Palestine

Israel vs. Palestine

Creation of a Kurdish State

Creation of a Kurdish State

Syrian Civil War

Womens rights in Saudi Arabia

Womens rights in Saudi Arabia

Womens rights in Saudi Arabia

Sunni vs Shia conflict

Creating Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

King Ibn Saud

David Ben-Gurion

David Ben-Gurion

Persian Gulf War

Persian Gulf War

Dont forget to watch any Brainpop videos or read NEWSELA

 Steps for Completing the RAFT:

1. Choose Topic
2. Refer back to your personality survey to make sure you chose the best topic
3. Read instructions for your RAFT
4. Review the BIG SIX research guide
5. Research and read about your topic
6. Create the RAFT (follow instructions)
7. Review Rubric
8. Edit if needed
9. Create a reference list

Content Specific vocabulary to consider and place into your writing:

Quizlet

Rubric for Performance Task

Criteria 1 Below 2- Improving 3 Meets 4 Exceeds standards
Standards standards

Accurately identifies Student Student Student Student accurately identifies

problems and conflicts. identifies identifies accurately problems and conflicts in the selected
Thoroughly discusses problems and problems and identifies country.
historical references. conflicts. conflicts in problems and
Presents current efforts to historical, the selected conflicts in the Student connects historical,
resolve conflict. economic, countries. selected economic, and governmental
and Student country. references to current conflicts and
governmental provides problems.
references some Student
are limited. historical, connects Student presents current efforts to
economic, historical, resolve conflict and evaluates the
and economic, and viability of these efforts.
governmental governmental
reference to references to
current current
conflicts and conflicts and
problems. problems.

Student
presents
current efforts
to resolve
 conflict.

Assumes the Assumes Assumes Assumes the Assumes the perspective of role
perspective of the the perspective of and thoroughly provides insight
respective role. perspective perspective role and and elaborates upon the
of role. or role and provides character's position.
provides knowledgeabl
limited e insight of
insight of the
the characters
characters position.
position.

Analyzes major events Correctly Correctly Correctly Correctly discusses 5 cause and
leading to the 21st discusses 2 discusses 3 discusses 4 effect relationships between the
century and their impact cause and cause and cause and historical events and their impact
on ethnic or political effect effect effect on economic or political tension
tension. relationship relationship relationships leading to the 21st century.
s between s between between the
the the historical
historical historical events and
events and events and their impact
their impact their impact on economic
on on or political
economic or economic or tension
political political leading to the
tension tension 21st century.
leading to leading to
the 21st the 21st
century. century.